4 August 2005
Motor sports, horse-riding and power boating are the most dangerous sporting and recreational activities in Victoria, a study by researchers at Monash University and the University of New South Wales has found.
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| Dr Gabbe's study found that motor sports, horse-riding and power boating are the most dangerous sporting and recreational activities in Victoria. |
The study, published in the August issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, assessed data from the Victorian State Trauma Registry and the National Coroners' Information System.
It showed there were 150 cases of serious injury and 48 deaths in Victoria as a result of sport and recreation between 2001 and 2003.
The study found motor sports accounted for 32 per cent of all cases of serious injury or death. Horse riding made up 14 per cent.
Australian Rules football and water-skiing/power boating each accounted for 8.6 per cent of death or serious injury, but when adjusted to account for the number of participants, football had only five players per 100,000 seriously injured while boating/water skiing saw 31 per 100,000 people injured.
The study looked at motor sports, boating, horse-riding, Australian Rules football, aero sports (including hang gliding, parachuting, paragliding and piloting a glider), fishing, BMX and mountain biking, snow skiing, rock climbing, roller-blading, skate boarding, basketball, cricket, netball, boxing, surfing, bushwalking, rugby union, scuba diving, yoga, billy-cart racing, shooting, windsurfing and kayaking.
It assessed people over the age of 15 who went to hospital for treatment or who died before reaching hospital as a result of sport or recreation.
Of the deaths recorded, 69 per cent were due to drowning. Five people died from motor sports related injuries - three from motorbike riding and one each while car racing and all terrain vehicle riding. Of the motor sport injuries, most related to motorbike riding and were due to a loss of control and fall from the bike; 19 per cent of incidents were the result of a trail bike hitting a stationary object such as a tree.
Researcher Dr Belinda Gabbe, from Monash's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine said although the risk of serious injury or death was low, motor sports, equestrian and boating activities needed to consider further preventive measures.
For more information contact Dr Gabbe on 9903 0951 or Ms Diane Squires in the Media Communications Office on 9905 9315 or 0417 603 400.
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